Students win composting video contest; Madison Elementary art teacher honored statewide

The board opened its Jan. 14 meeting with several recognitions. Staff and students were invited to the podium to honor winners of the middle‑ and high‑school composting video competition and to present a statewide art educator award.

A Gateway Middle School student team was recognized as the middle‑school composting video winner. Presenters listed the student team members by name and showed the winning video at the meeting. The competition received more than 34 submissions, district staff said.

Jackson High School students Justin Lumbaugh, Adam Gadda, Jaden Nguyen and Jonathan Yim were recognized as the high‑school composting video winners. Presenters said the videos aim to increase awareness of cafeteria sorting (compost, recycling, landfill) and to promote the district’s cafeteria composting pilot launched earlier in secondary schools this month.

The board also recognized Nicole Dibble, a visual arts teacher (formerly described as the art education director at the Schack Art Center) and now a Madison Elementary visual arts teacher, for receiving the Washington State Museum Art Educator of the Year award. Chief Academic Officer Dr. Shelly Bowden presented remarks about Dibble’s contributions including leadership of the Art Sparks program for preschool learners and involvement with the Schack Art Center partnership.

The recognitions concluded with attendees invited to remain for the meeting or leave after the presentations.

Source: recognitions presented at the Jan. 14 board meeting (student teams identified by the presenters; award presented by Dr. Shelly Bowden).